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Marshall students Emily Wright, middle, and Brian Warner explain their research to Del. Linda Sumner of Raleigh County during Undergraduate Research Day at the West Virginia State Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013.

Photo courtesy of Rick Haye/Marshall University

Sen. Evan Jenkins talks with Kasey Stickler, center, and Morgan Stickler from Marshall University during Undergraduate Research Day at the West Virginia Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013.

Photo courtesy of Rick Haye/Marshall University

Delegate Jim Morgan talks with Alex King from Marshall University during Undergraduate Research Day at the West Virginia State Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013.

Photo courtesy of Rick Haye/Marshall University

Tessa Maynard, a sophomore at West Virginia University who graduated from Tolsia High School in Wayne County, presents research on astronomy data to pulsars at Undergraduate Research Day at the West Virginia State Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013.

Students shine at Capitol for Undergraduate Research Day

Feb. 28, 2013 @ 11:30 PM

BILL ROSENBERGER

CHARLESTON -- Sen. Evan Jenkins, a Democrat who represents Cabell County, expressed amazement Thursday morning at the breadth and depth of research on display in the Capitol Rotunda as part of the 10th annual Undergraduate Research Day.

He also said it had him thinking about the proposed state budget, which has $34 million in cuts to higher education.

"Everybody always talks about the best and brightest, and this is the day you get to meet the best and brightest," Jenkins said. "If we cut higher ed, we're potentially cutting opportunities these students have."

And it's not just opportunities for the students but also the state, he said, noting several projects could impact the future of the state or country. There were several projects related to health care done by Marshall University students, including one on hypertension by sophomore Erin Fankhanel, another on kidney damage and a new drug by Rebekkah and Derek Ramsey, and rehabilitation and recovery options for obesity and eating disorders by Heather Fry and Ericka Staples.

Fankhanel, a biology major from Hurricane, said she loves research because it can make a difference. And, she said she was encouraged to see so many students from higher education who feel the same way.

"It's exciting to see these other people who are like me and who are my age working to advance science," she said.

But it wasn't just health care fields. There were several projects from Marshall's 31 students on computer science and engineering. Senior Alex King developed a new keystroke biometrics security application, while fellow senior Travis Rainey developed a mobile application to help college students track their grades and save screenshots in their phone to ensure accuracy with what the professor is recording.

Both said the technological fields are booming, providing entrepreneurial and research opportunities, even at the undergraduate level.

"It goes to show you the value of undergraduate research," King said. "It could translate into graduate school or a job."

Tessa Maynard and her partner Nathan Tehrani presented research on astronomy data related to pulsars, something Maynard became interested in while attending Tolsia High School in Wayne County. The sophomore at West Virginia University said she is passionate about the research because of the scientific advancement that it could translate to.

Though the projects were very diverse, there was one thing they all had in common, said Charles Somerville, dean of Marshall's College of Science and a member of the event's organizing committee.

"One of the things people don't realize about higher education is the tremendously talented people," he said. "Research can really turn a student around."

John Maher, Marshall's vice president for research, said the work students are doing is on par with that done at the best universities in the country.

"This event provides a unique opportunity for members of the Legislature to see an aspect of higher education normally hidden from public view, but that is one of the most important tools for developing students for entry into the workplace or postgraduate education," Maher said.

In addition to Marshall, 14 other universities and colleges will be represented at the event, including Alderson-Broaddus College, Bluefield State College, Concord University, Fairmont State University, Glenville State College, Ohio Valley University, Shepherd University, University of Charleston, West Liberty University, West Virginia State University, West Virginia University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Wheeling Jesuit University and WVU Institute of Technology.

Participating students

The following is a list of Marshall University students who participated in Thursday's Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in Charleston.

James Caldwell, Hurricane, computer science/information technology, "Creation of the Inventory College of Information Technology and Engineering (IN-CITE) Project for Real-Time Management of Laboratory Equipment"

Robert Gaum, Charleston, computer science/information technology, "Creation of the Inventory College of Information Technology and Engineering (IN-CITE) Project for Real-Time Management of Laboratory Equipment"

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